Buffing machine



Mamahl 9, 1948. o. w. MoJoNNlER BUFFING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2o, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 w www QN www.

March 9, 1948.

o.lw. MoJoNNlER K BUFFING MACHINE QN wk k n March 9, 1948. ro. w. MoJoNNlER BUFFING MACHINE i Filed Aug. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Shut' 4- March 9, 1948. o. w. MoJoNNlER 2,437,434

BUFFING MACHINE 'Filed Aug. 2o, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 's Patented Mar. 9,1948 2,437,434

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUFFmG MACHINE Oliver W. Mojonnier, River ForestIll., assigner to iMojonnier Bros. Co., a corporation of Illino s K Application August 20, 1945, Serial No. 611,545

21 Claims. l

that the interior of the bottom may also be buifed.

Another object is to construct the machine so that it may buil? detached bottoms ordisks or other work.

With these main objects in View, the vinvention also contemplates nove1 means for rotating the shell of the tank, advancing and withdrawing thesame by traction wheels traveling upon the floor, a novel head for supporting the buing wheel, nove1 adjustments of the bufng wheel for working upon the cylindrical surface and upon the interior of the bottom of the tank, screw mechanism for adjusting the horizontal support which carries the buffer head, attachments to be used when bufling the disk-like bottoms separately, and certain otherV details which will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated a preferr'ed embodiment of the invention.

In said drawings. I Y f i Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a builing machine constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, the attachment being added;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the attachment removed and showing a tank shell upon the movable cradle positioned for buiing the inside of the shell, a portion of theshell being broken away to show the buftlng head which is shown in its central position within the shell;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same, the shell beingremoved and section being taken just below the buiiing head as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is an end View of the same with a shell in place upon the cradle and one supporting member shown in central vertical section to show the way in which the head is raised and lowered;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the screw engaging vnut showing Vthe ns for retaining it in` non-rotating position; Y

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the upper end of the supporting member for the screw showin'gthe" slots into which the fins iit; Y

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section illustrat-VV ing thel head in central' position, the plane' of section being indicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 8 is a similar section indicating the buff-` ing head in position to buil'` the Outside cylindrif cal surface of the tank;

Fig. 9 is a detail elevation of the bufngh'ead'ff portions being broken away to show the herr-?" zontal pivotal connection; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the head with the bufflng wheel occupying'its vertical position for' bufng the interior of the bottom of the tank;'

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the for" Ward locator or stop for engaging the edge of` a tank shell, the parts being reversely positioned n' relative to their position in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the Yrear lo-f cator or stop for engaging the bottom of the tanknear its center so as to serve asa center point about which the tank may rotate, the view' being indicated by the line |2-l2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 13 is a vertical section of the attachment frame and adjacent parts; y

Fig. 14 is ay diagram of a separated headbear ing upon the supporting and driving wheels and in position to be buffed by the buiiing wheel:

Fig. 15 is a cross section of the horizontal m'ember of the attaching frame, Vthe plane of section being indicated by the line l5-I 5 of Fig; 13; andVV Figs. 16'and 17 are diagrams illustratingfin" plan the positions of the supporting wheels ofthe f attachment and the driving wheels of the main" machine, the positions of the'viewsbeing indi-V cated by the lines lE--IG and I 'IV-ll respective- Y ly, of Fig. 14.

Throughout these several views, like charac-N ters refer to like parts.

The novel buiiing machine comprises in brief, a, shiftable cradle A upon which the workis held,- a bulng head B having a positively driven buiiing wheel which may be used to bu the-insideorl outside of tanks, and raising and lowering mechanism C by which thehead B may be adjusted. The cradle is movable about the floor ofthe shop where the machine is employed. An attachment D also enables the machine to be used with ous other pieces of work.

The cradle A, which constitutes the main supe" porting frame of the work, comprises tWO sides 20 and two ends 2|, preferably channels weldedf together, the ends 2| resting uponvthesidesjZll.

At an intermediate point, the sides are connected' by suitable angle irons 22 wemed to the bottom l? vani f flanges of the sides. These constitute the supports for the traction motor 23 and the motor 24 which drives the supporting wheels 25, 26. The motor 23 rests upon a base pl-ate 25a carried by the angle bars 22. The motor 24 is spaced from the 5 supporting angle irons 22 by being bolted to the upper side of two intervening frames 21 having their under: portion; welded to twocro'ss `bars i212. supportedbyrfand fwelded' to the angie-"bars 22.' These bars 21EL overhang the angle bars 22 andl thus provide a support for the frames 21.

On the under side of the frame A and neanitss ends are bearings 23 secured to the under side of the sides 20 in whichare ,iournaledtwofsh'aits 1 29 carrying traction wheels 3er-'which travel ontlf1el15-= oor. Upon each shaft 29 is secured a sprocket Wheel 3|. Sprocket chains 32 engagethesewheels s and drive them through the sprocket wheels 33 Amounted on the shaft of the gear reducer 3fassociated with the tractionmotor 23. The motor isereversibleeand vhence 'fthe wheelsl 30 1 may :be driven either way to shiftttheframe AaThe motor is..anfielectric motorfand :isr'cont-rolled ...throughia cableiarunningazfrom .thefrnotor4 to: the face or a fswitehboarde#where --suitable control` :devices f2 anepr'ovidedzf- When-` oncefset laterally,th'e .cradle maybe moved'y to 1 and-.fro f at will tozfeedthef-buffing Wheel along Ithe surface'dceing;buifedfA Theiswitchboard` is vpreferablyffa1f-platefof metal with thewarious' controlv devices (not-shown')'- attached 130` thereto.

Muntedizupon: the upper; edges "of .eachfoiffth'e ends 2 IA ofathe. fframeV A1 areatwo bearings.l 31.;- 31;,v and :these frsupport .thelongitudinally; extending shafts vi8Eir1'-,:suhstantially parallel'zrelation: The shafts A38 fare mounted'to-rotatein thesebearings;v Theygsupport the l wheels .25 and12frespectively The rlatter are'adjustable .therealong .'bytre'ason'pt a longitudinal keyway rinto'which'akey on each Wheelvitsn Each! wheelfsrfheldafin iitsadjustedfd position byza set'fscrew 45s Eachshaft 38 `isi also providediwith assprocket-` wheel t whichfisfiixedf: to it andbywhich. itfreceiv'espower through'z sprocket-chains 42- `fromthefoutput shaftof lth'e worm and gear speed reducerliaassociatedfwith145 theV fmotore 211'.: said 4shaftfbeingnprovided .Lwith' a pair :of-sore cket wheels 44 fori'the :purpose:

The fwheelsl 25;2Sg which* are' the lworkifcontactr ing-eelements; ,are frelativelyfbroad: rimmed .1 andV have'irubber -tiresY so that theyfdo 'not freadilyffslip 50* butewillr make firmA contact with 1 the pi'e'ce of-f workvwhichds'to .berotatedfby them.- Siichwork maybe '.fthefcylindrical' .shellof` a;:bottomed.ftank f. asathetank 45 showni in-Fi'gs: Sand-.mor the Lonen. she1l f461 assshown`r in-Fig: 4:2. The tank .shell is" 55. mounted" onf the kwheels. 25'; 1w-itlfiitsfaxis'; hhri zontal as shown. Their rot-ation by ftliemotor: Zhdrives the :"shellTcontinuouslyzzin thefsamezdirection. The motor 24 is an electrieinotorwhi'ch" ist'controlledf through:r a i'cabley 41S which leads-the 60- same :as fthecabl'el 35; to the :switchboard: eelfupon whihzsuitable controlftdevices'rare flocated."

Obviously,:y the. wheels? :may:- be frspaced f lvariable@V distances-apart'.and` `nrayzthusfbe made; to dodgef various@ xtures and J conne ctions rionz'lE the outside f oither tank:A

Whenaishellis rotatedfiasf forexampie the shelfVVV lfpnevend may be .providedfiwith:'afsinrplestopLIV device like that shown in detail in l='ig..l1where-4 inta .roller Vi8 zmounted upontheupperzend fof a 70 spin dle 491: engages fthefendf edge fof :theftshell-i i 11o-.hold.itwinpositionz- The `lower endfoffthe spindl'e 49 `passessthrouglfi. Aa-sleeve on .one-fend .ofmd` .50 .and is .held iin adjusted fposition: :byya iset- D5; edges of 'the yoke member15.

formed upon the frame end 2| wherein it is held in adjusted position by a set screw 53.

When a bottomed shell is rotated, as for example the shell of Fig. 7, then an endwise locator is provided at the bottomed tank end, such as shown in Fig. 12. The rod passes down through a sleeve 56 provided with a set screw 51 for securingth rod 'inifadjusted 'posito'n.'Y The sleeve fis'located preferably midway 'betvveenrthe pai'- allel shafts 38 which carry the Work engaging elements 25 and 26. Each end 2l, which is a channe1,..has additional anges 58, 53e, which strengthen the member. Intermediate its upper and lower flangesgandsbpposedto the ange 58, is a flange 59.?W`e1dedto ,theedge of the upper flange and to the edge of this intermediate flange 59, is afstrippof metal. '60..which serves as the base of the sleeve 56. At "the upper end of the bar 55 g is .zarsimilar transverse sleeve 6I through which a rod 62 extends which serves as the locator. The rod 62^is :provided fwith a well` rounded head. .63.

The rodis located'tohave its head-53 bear against.' the .disk-like bottom -oiv the` bottomed' shellifll4 nearitscenter so that as vthe -disk and -shell rotate,l it will serve asv axed'center; The-rodfBZ- isheld iniixed adjusted position by-a set-screw'. 54 in the sleeve e I'.r y The positionofz the-bottomed:`

tank, 45 is 4indicated in'Fig.- 12.

Passing .-now to -awdescription-'of theebutng; iwheelstructure involving-the head B. Wevhave ,a 1.. horizontal support 65, in the form of a hollow4 shaft, upon -the free end -of'which'thefh'ead is mounted.. The headand-the-forward endof the .I

shaft'aremountedso--as to be enteredwintosthe yopenend ofthe shell .when it is in workinggpo-.e sition. The bung wheel is positively driven-by;

anelectric 'motor-61% both wheel and motor beingimoved as aeunit.

The'horizontal support 65 terminates at vits free fend `in -head-- plate E5 having -a reduced portion or .pintle `E51.v The. head plate and pintle are.. adapted to receive-a yoke iBS-having across piece f 69 4uniting-.two'sides 10,- 1&3.` Thecross lpiece (i9v is provided' with a central bearing 1l adaptedto ,engage the pintle 61 on the head plate 55. Afring 12 -is .fixed to the end` of the-pintleby any-suitable device, asfor example a set screw 13.' Thei yoke irotates upon the pintle 51. It maybe fixed-in .diierentgrotary positions by a'series vof 1' bolts `or'- pins l1li passingi'through cooperating Yi holes in .the headfplate Giinto threadedopenings in the yoke cross piece '69. Uponuloosening the pins, the yoke 5B may be rotated' to any desired adiusted position and then the pins or bolts .14.reinserted and -screwed home. Thus anad:v

iustment .of -the buffer head about the: longis# tudinal axis of the supporting shaft is..prof-- vided.,

Within the-yoke member'w are the plates115 i which, together with the end 16,l forman'en closing casing'for the motor 61a. This enclosure".- has oppositel-y extendingtrunnions 11 which pass 1 Straps" into `bearings inthe yoke members 19. 18 are4 welded or otherwise secured tothetop in'place. Thus the motor is vcapable of rotary adjustment about the pivotal axis provided hy It may be held. in diierentl 1o (into Vtight engagement withv holes in the motor y frame member 15. The pins or `bolts A.may bepro-v screw...5 t, Therod.50-.passesfthroughalsleevez :75 r/vided :with threads and pass :into e ngagement They also carry l pins 18e which pass through then into threaded',4 engagement with the motor ('la to hold the vlatter'.

with threaded openings in the frame memberif mounted on the free end of a buffer shaft 8| adapted to rotate in bearings 82 projecting from the motor frame. A multiple belt 83 passes over grooved pulleys 84, 85, upon the motor shaft and the shaft 8|, respectively. A fender 86 projects from the adjacent end of the motor frame member 16 out over the wheel 80 as a protective measure.

The motor 61a is an electric motor and is provided with a supply cable 81 having slack sufficient'to care for it in its different positions and leading oir to the far side of the' switchboard 36, as the parts are viewed in Fig. 1, where it is supplied with suitable starting and stopping devices (not shown).

Coming now to the raising and lowering mechanism C by which the horizontal support 65 is rmly supported with its free end bearing the head B, it will be noted that there are two upright posts 88, 88, seated down in the ground to a depth of several feet, depending upon the height to which the head is to be raised, which serve as the basic supporting members. Within these there are two telescopic members 89which support the horizontal member 65. All these members are preferably hollow, the member 65 for lightness, and the others to receive the screws 90. The upper ends of the posts 89 are cut to t against theunder side of the horizontal member 65 and are securely welded thereto. On the upperside of the member 65 are the saddles 9| which are firmly secured at their ends thereto by machine screws 92.

A thrust bearing 94 is secured, by welding, to each. saddle 9| and the associated portion of the horizontal supporting member 65. It extends above and below the saddles 9| as shown. It will suiilce to describe one.

The screw 90 is journaled for rotation within the gearing 94 and is held in position by an upper collar 95 and a lower collar 96. 'I'hese collars are pinned to the shaft so as to rotate with it. At a point well down within the post 88, is a nut 91 which is supported on a fixed hollow post 98 and held against rotation by lateral ilnsv 99 entering slots in the post 90. The screw 80 is threaded into the non-rotating nut. Hence, as the screw 90 is rotated, it will move up or down in the nut 91 according to the Vdirection of rotation. YAt the bottom the posts 88 and 98 are closed with a stop plate I0| welded to the ends.

By rotating the screws 9|) equal amounts in one direction, the support 65 is raised; and by rotating the same equal amounts in the opposite direction, it is lowered. To bring about these equal rotations, Iremploy a reversible electric motor |02. This motor moves up and down with the horizontal support 65 to which it is attached by suitable frame members |03, |03, welded thereto at their lower ends, and tied at their upper ends by straps |04, |04, connected to the gearing frame |05, which is secured to the other side of the horizontal support 65 withinterven ing blocks |06. Y The gearing frame I Q carries a suitably journaled shaft |01 which spans the opening in the frame. The shaft |01 is driven from the motor |02 through gearing including a small sprocket wheel |08 on the motor shaft, a large sprocket wheel |09 on the shaft |01, and an interconnecting sprocket chain IIO. Other sprocket chains extend from small sprocket Wheels on the shaft |01 to sprocket wheels I I2 esY secured tothe upperends of the screws 90. The motor |02 is a reversible electric motor and is supplied with current through an electric cable, a portion of which is designated I I3. It communicates with suitable stopping and starting control devices upon the face of the board 36. Each sprocket chain Iii travels over a belt tightener ||4 located upon outwardly extending arms I 4a of the frame |05. Thus, by means of the motor |02, it is possible to raise or lower the buffer head.

I also preferably employ a telescopic means for guiding and stopping the cradle when it overruns its limit. The means is located between the `cradle A and the fixed portion of the machine. The device is shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3. As there shown, I employ two open ended tubes |I5, IIS, with'a telescoping intermediate tube or rod I1, provided with a collar I I8 held in adjusted position by a set screw I I8. These are located in a longitudinal line when the cradle is properly placed, The tube II5 passes through a suitable opening in that end 2| of the'frame A adjacent to the posts 88, and is secure-d in the opening either by a tight t or otherwise, asjdesired, On the other hand, the tube |I6 is passed through suitable sleeves |20 bracketed upon transverse supports |2I welded to the posts 88 and extending to the board 36, as shown.

In operation, as the cradle'A approaches the left-hand post 878, as the parts are viewed in Fig. 3, the adjacent end |22 of the tube I|5 may engage the collar I I8 and then shove the rod II1 along in the tube IIE until it strikes the closed end I 23 of the tube, thereby blowing a fuse or a circuit breaker as the case may be, unless the traction motor 23 is reversed or stopped by the time it'reaches that point. Thus the telescopic tube arrangement is utilized in the control of the advance of the cradle A.V And, of course, it may be [moved in the opposite direction until the rod I I1 separates from either tube II 5 or I I6, whereupon the cradle may be moved laterally by a hoist or otherwise into the position -where the head will -be in line to bui the outside of the tank or' do other work, as for example in Fig. 8. By removing the intermediate telescopic rod II1 altogether from the equipment, the bung machine may still be used. 'I'he telescopic guiding andstopping means may be discarded altogether and the various other parts will work as outlined. It will ordinarily be located for one'position of the work, such as the dotted line position of the brush and head of Fig. 7, It is so located because the bulk of the work calls for the operation of the brush in that position.

When the attachment D is to be placed upon the machine, the endwise locator, shown in Fig. l2, is removed and the auxiliary frame of the attachment is put in place. This frame comprises a horizontal member |26, projecting from the n end of the main frame, and a downwardly extending post |25 which, when in position, rests upon the iioor. The .post |25 Y is adapted to pass through the sleeve 56 and to be secured, if desired, by the set screw 51. At its upper end it is welded -between two longitudinally extending members I 26. These members are angle irons which are welded to a plate |21 at one end, and at the otherto a sleeve |28 provided with a set screw |29. The resulting structure constitutes a telescopic member which receives a telescoping rod |38 which terminates in a transverse sleeve I 3| provided with a set screw I 32; Within the sleeve |3| is a vertical rody |33 which carries a asoman Thefplate I 21 whenfin. position-overlies the upper flange of the end 2|., By meansof the set screws |2$landi- |32,.,the;rollers |35 -may be set indifferent positions -according to the work being worked-upon;A

The work:V whichV -may loe` a .disnea `disk-like membelg'like the tankl end |3|i-,(shown in-Fig. 14) is provided .with a, central temporary Iaperture |31 for the passage of an additional support. Thissupport comprisesarod- |38 which4 constitutesla .vertical pivotal p oint fory the work. The upper-portion'of the rod |38 is reduced in diameter to t loosely-withinthe. hole inthe work |36, and atits lowerend the rod passes -adjustably within the upright sleeve |39 and is held in ad justed position-byev set screw |40. The sleeve |39v is weldedpto. the upper -clampingplate |4| which'fcooperates-Vwith a-lower clamping plate |42 and clamping bolts |43 to set the supporting zontal frame `member |24, to suit thevposition of the work.

Thetwo figures (Figs, 16 and 17) show the relative positions-of the supporting` rollers or Wheels |35,f the driving wheels of which two come into play upon a .disk piece of work, and the bufngwheel 80; To bring about ready rotation and not wear upon-the work, a washer 44 maybeemployed.v It is placedA upon the upper endof the` supporting pivot rod` |38 and bears upon; the shoulder |45 formed where the rod |38 is reduced indiameter.V When the perforated piecexof work is completely buffed, the hole |31 may-be plugged;

The switchboard 3S isfsupported on two channel uprights |46in;parallelism to the main posts 88.r Thesame is held to the -postsby straps |2|f, |2|, weldedthereto at their ends. The telescoping tubular fmember 89 is-provided in each instance withY a .handxhole |41 through which access may be had to thecollars 96 and adjacent parts withinthe post.

Theicables 35, 81'y 41 and# I3 are provided with suiiicient slack-toV allow for the several adjustments occasioned byfthemotors 23, 61a, 24 and |02, respectively.V These'cables extend through suitable openings A(not shown) in the-switchboard Stand, as'before stated,-` are connected to suitable lcont-rol devices.` By properly manipulating thesepcontrol devices (not shown), the machine may be operatedin'the vmanner indicated,

Suitable holes f |48rare provided'in a lower flange of the 4end2l to permit of ease in attaching tackle to move the cradle laterally.

The parts; are preferably metal so` as tobe welded.'togethenfalthough `other ,means of connectingmay be employedif desired.

Itmaybenotedralso that in buing theinside of 'a'tankg the bufng wheel 8|) may be variously positioned. Thus,` it may'beplaced almost directly opposite the supporting wheels so that the latter will furnish resistance to its pressure. Forzexample; it may be positioned opposite the wheelszZSasindicated by the dotted .lines |49 inV Figl.` Likewiseit might be-placed opposite the wheels 25@ Again -inbuing the bottom of a bottomen tank,.it may be as in Fig. 10 where it would encounter the 4tank ybcttomas indicated by the full' line. Obviously, irl-feeding the tank along as the interior cylindrical surface is being "puffed, as `shown in the dotted line position of Fig, 1, indicated 'by the line-|49,` the traction motor 23 would come-into play.- Likewise,v in feeding-the rod |38fin any; desired position" along the horiv bottom surface, the vertical motor |02 would` come into play. All of these Variousoperations will at once be obvious to a worker in this art.

Ordinarly, the buing head B occupies the posi.-A tion of Fig. 9. This is theposition occupied whenr the interior of the tank is to be buffed. When". the bottom is to be buffed, the head isshiftedby withdrawing the bolts 'E9 and replacing them when moved to the correct position. If an align-.- lar position is desired, other than a right angue lar position, then extra holes 19 may be drilled through the plates l! yand into the plates '|5.`t0^r suit the particular angle desired. When it comes to shifting the parts for outside buiiing, as indi',-4 cated in Fig 8, then the head B is shifted from the position of Fig. 9 into the position -of Fig; 8, by removing and replacing the bolts 14 passing. through openings in the plate S5, .as will be ap'- parent.

When buing the outside of the tank, I ordinarily employ `a plurality of resisting members ld provided with rollers Vil at their upper ends, and seated at their lower ends in suitable sockets provided by holes l52 in the upper flanges: of the side members 2t of the cradle A andvde-z. pressions 53, in the lower flanges of the same. members. These resisting members are sui' ciently stout to bear the pressure exerted bythe brush it@ while bufng the outside of the tank.

Other devices may be used upon tanks of thinmaterial to reinforce them as may be required.`

Although the term tanks has been used1 throughoutl the preceding description, yet it will be understood that the particularly bufng machine is useful in polishing various surfaces, including tanks, vats and the like. The wordl tanks is applied in certain trades t0 receptacles intended primarily for storage purposes, while in the same trade the term vats is applied to re-v ceptacles employed for processing purposes,

The terms used herein, both in the specification and claims, are used in an instructive sensey and not in any limiting sense. By the V-term buing in its various forms, it is intended toinclude grinding, polishing, and the like.

It will be understood, too, that changes may bemade in the specific matteriherein disclosed and, accordingly, the terms of the appended claims are relied upon to cover all such alterations and mod-1 ifications which lawfully come within the spiritv and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell of-a tankwith its axis horizontal, said cradle comprisingaV plurality of rotary shell contacting elements, saidv elements having a plurality of axes lying in parallel relation to said shell axis, means mounted on said cradle and operative to rotate said shell about its raXis while in enga-gement with said: shell contacting elements, a horizontal support having a projecting end adapted to enter the 'i shell, a positively driven bufng wheel mounted on the free end of said support and operative` to buff the interior surface of the shell, means., for readily shifting said cradle to and fro relative to said horizontal support to give said wheel its working feed, and means for readily raising and lowering said support to permit of its Yready lntroduction into the interior of the shell.

2. A device of the class described comprising-I a cradle for nemingV the cylindrical vsneu of fa, `tank with its axis horizontal, said cradle comprising a plurality of rotary shell contacting elements, said elements having a plurality ofI axes lying in parallel relation to said shell axis, means 1 support having a projecting end adapted to enter the shell, a positively driven builng wheel mounted on the free end of said support and operative to buif the interior surface of the shell, means for readily shifting said cradle to Aand fro relative to said horizontal support to give said wheel its working feed, means for readily raising and lowering said support-,to permit Vof itsready introduction into the interior of the shell, and means for engaging said shell at its opposite ends to position the same upon said cradle. -c

3. A device of the class described comprising a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell of a tank with its axis horizontal, said cradle comprising a plurality of parallel rotary shafts parallelV to the axis of said shell, a plurality of wheels on said shafts, means mounted on said cradle and operative to rotate sai-d shell about its axis while in engagement with said wheels, a horizontal support having a projecting end adaptedto enter the shell,

vmounted on the free end of said support and opa positively driven buiing wheel erative to buff the interior surface of the shell, means for readily shifting said cradle to and fro relative to said horizontal support to giveV said wheel its working feed, and means for readily raising 'and lower said support tolpermitvof its ready introduction into the interior of the shell.

4. A device of the class described comprising a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell of a tank with its axis horizontal, said cradle comprising a plurality of paralle1 rotary shafts parallel to the axis of said shell, a plurality of wheels on said shafts, means mounted on said cradle and operative to rotate said shell about its axis while in engagementwith said wheels, a horizontal support having a projecting end adapted to enter the shell, a positively driven bufling wheel mounted on the free end of said support and operative to buil the interior surface of the shell, means for readily shifting said cradle to and fro relative to said horizontal support to give said wheel its working feed, means for readily raising and lowering said support to permit of its ready introduction into the interior of the shell, and means for engaging said shell at its opposite ends to position the same upon said cradle.

' 5. A device of the class described comprising a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell of a tank with its axis horizontal, said cradle comprising a plurality of parallel rotary shafts parallel to the Vaxis of said shell, a pluralityof Wheels yori each of .said shafts mounted to bevariably spaced apart, means for driving said wheels to rotate said shell about its axis, a horizontal support having a projecting end adapted to enter the" shell, a positively driven bufng wheel mounted on the free end of said support and Voperative to buff the interior surface of the shell. means for readily shifting said cradle torand fro relative to said horizontal support to give said wheel its working feed, and means for readily raising and-*lowering said support to -permit of its ready introduction into the interior of the shell. v

6. A device of the class, described comprising a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell kofa tank with its axis-horizontal, said cradle comprising a plurality'of parallel rotary shafts paralle1 to the axis of said shell, a-,plurality of wheels on each o f'said shafts mounted to be variably spaced apart, means for driving said wheels torotate said shell about itsaxis, a horizontal support having a projecting end adapted to enter the shell, a positively driven buiing wheel Ymounted on the free end of s aid support and operative to buff the interior surface of the shell, means for readily shifting said cradle toand fro relative to said horizontal support to give said Wheel its worklngfeetmeans for readily raisingand lowering said support to permit of its ready introduction into the interior of the shell, andmeans for engaging said shell at its opposite ends to position the same yupon saidcradle.A

7. A device of the class described comprising'a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell of a botv tomed tank with its axis horizontal, said cradlecomprising a plurality of rotary shell contacting elements, said elements having a plurality of axes lying in parallel relation to said shell axis, means mountedl on said cradle and operative to rotate said shell labout its axis while in engagement with said shell contacting elements,` aV horizontal s upport having a projecting end adapted to enter the open-'end of the tank, a movable member carried upon the free end of said horizontal support, a buiing 'wheel and Vdriving motor therefor pivotally mounted in said member, means for adjusting said wheel and motor to diierent vpositions to enable saidwheel to buff the interior walls and the bottom of the tank, means for readily shifting said cradle to and fro rrelative to said horizontal support, and means for readily raisingand lowering said support, whereby said .buiilng wheel may be positioned for work upon theV interiQr walls andbottom of the tank. l, z

8. A device of the Iclass described comprisingl cradle for holding the cylindrical shell of a bottomed tank Withits axis horizontal, said cradle comprising a plurality of rotary shell contacting a elements, said elements having a pluralityrof axes vlying in parallel relation to said shell axis,- means mountedon said cradle and operativev to rotate said shell about its axis While in engagement with saidshell contacting elements, a horizontal support having a projecting end adapted to enter the open end of the tank, a movable member-carried upon the free end of said horizontal support, fa bufng wheel and driving motortherefor pivotally mounted in said member, means for adjusting said Wheel and motor to different positions toenable said wheel to buff the interior walls and. the bottom of the tank, means for readily. shifting said cradle to and fro relative to said Ahorizontal support, means for readily raising and'lowering said support, whereby said buiiing wheel may be positioned for Work upon the interior walls and bottom of the tank, a locator positioned at.,the end of said cradle distant from'said horizontal support adapted to be vertically adjusted to engage the center of the bottom 'ofthe tank, and a Icompanion stop device located upon the'cradle at the opposite end of the tank, the locator and stop device serving to position the tank upon the cradle.

9. A device of the class described comprising'a cradle for holding the cylindrical shell Vofa bottomed tank with its axis horizontal, said cradle comprisinga plurality of rotary shell contacting elements, said elements having a plurality of axes lying in parallel relationto said shell axis, means mounted on said cradle and operative-to rotate said shell about its axis while in engagement with gai-lemas `1l` =fsa1d-snei1 contacting elements; meansrorlmoving 'said cradle to andf fro horizontally; a horizontal '-'-`si1pport having a'projecting end adapted to enter f the' shell;Vv means -for moving said horizontal sup- Y i port to 'and fro vertically, -a' head plate secured l* f totheend' of said horizontal support, a yoke piv- --otally mountedgon saidhead platefa builing wheel *and driving `motor ltherefor lpivotally Amounted yupon said yoke, means for adjusting :"saidfyoke relative'tosaidhead plate, and meansl Fiori-adjusting said`v bufng lWheel relative to said 'yoke,'-whereby said bufng Wheel may be posi- *tioned for Work `upon the exteriorand thein- 'f fterior and the bottom of 'the tank.

10'.- Adevice `of the class described comprising a lcradle forlholding the cylindrical shell ofa bottomed Y tank with its axis horizontal, said 'cradle comprising aplurality of rotary shellV coni -tacting elements, vsaid elements having a yplurality of v`axes lying in parallel relationf-to saidA shell;-

C'a'xls,'-means mounted on said cradle and opera- E-"t'ive'-to rotate said shell about its axis while in *engagement With'said shell contacting elements, ia' horizontal support having a free projecting end,

ahead plate xed to the free end of said sup-l, `port,'a yoke pivoted tosaid head plate, a movable -iframe having pivotal engagement with said yoke,

Vsaid-pivotal axes being at right angles to eachV other, a bufng wheel andan electric Amotor car- 'fried by said movable frame, a buffer shaft gearediv'to said`motor and supported` by said movable Viframe, abutting Wheel secured to theV free end of Said bufferI shaft, adjusting means between said i-head plate and yoke for holdingsaid yokeinV dif- "ferent' adjusted positions, adjusting means betweenf'said yoke and movable frame for holding `said movable frame in different adjusted positions relative to said yoke, means for readily ad- "i'justing said cradle Atoward and from vsaid horizontalisupporhand means for readily adjusting i said-horizontal support up and'down.

L11. A device of the class described comprising *a cradle for holding the cylindrical shellof a-tank vw'ithits -axis horizontal, said cradle comprising -fa plurality of rotary shell contacting elements,-

-Y said'elements having a plurality of axes lying in "parallel relation to saidshell axis, means mountedjonsaid cradle and operative to' rotate said lshell-about its Vaxis `While in engagement'rwith saidshell contacting elements, a horizontal suplport` having a projecting end adapted to enter ""the shell,v a buiing Wheel mounted on theproje'otingend of said horizontal support, means `for' vreadily raising and lowering said horizontal "fsupport to position said buffer wheel verticallyyf "i traction wheels on the undersideof 'said cradle, fand means for driving said traction Wheels to i-po'sition said cradle horizontally.

12; `A device of the class described comprising acradle for holding the cylindrical shell of a tank.-

"with its'axis horizontal; said cradle comprising a plurality of parallel rotaryshafts parallel tothe axis' of said shell, a plurality of wheels on vsaid shafts', means mounted on said cradle and operativev to rotate said shell about its` axis'while in engagement with 'said wheels, a horizontal supal nain'v` supporting"Iramafla @plurality fotrotary -"-vvork*'engaging 'elementsuponsaid main frame, vsaid elements b'eingfv mounted-ior'rotationupon fparallelaXes--fmeans -mo'unted on 'saidzmain-Iframe operable to I rotate lthe iwork resting luponf :said

'supports guidedlupon said postsyalhorzontal sup- "portxed to said-'vertical supportsandlhaving a V'free projecting end, screw..andinutfmechanism vfori raising and' lowering ysaidvertical supports and said'v horizontal suppo'rt' lwith l reference 5L to Y` said Jposts, 1 a lpositively `Vrlhvdr-"iven 'buiiing I"Atvheel Q mounted on the v:free 'end of Ysaid'horizontalsfupport, and means for" shifting saidl mainfllir'a'me toward Vand from said-posts. Y

145A device' of the class l'described comprising Y a-'main supporting frame,"a plurality fof-l rotary work engagingelements upon said 'main' -frame,

said elements being Vmounted'- iforl rotationupon parallel axes, means mounted on said main frame -Aoperable toI rotate-the work resting upon said elements, a pair of Viixed vertical postsgvertlcal Ysupports guided upon" said-"posts, a horizontal ysupport yiixed to saidfvertical supports and having-Ia free projecting' endya screwf-journaledfor rotation upon each of said vertical supports; cooperating non-rotatable nuts into' which said-screws are respectively threaded,posts for supporting Y said nuts, a motor and' gearing' for' rotating-said screws edual amounts to raise and'lower'sald horizontalV support, a positively idriv'en buing Wheel mounted on the free 'end vof said horizontal support, and means for shifting :said main iframe f toward'iand lfrom said' posts.

' 15. jAdevice of'thev classi described comprising Y a Ycradle for holding l the cylindrical -shellf ofa tank with -its axis horizontal; said` cradle comp'rising a plurality of parallel-rotary shafts-"parv-allel to the aXis of-saidshell, aplurality oflvvheels on said shafts, means mounted on said cradleand operative to `rotate said'sh'ell 'about'its axis ,Whilein engagement With said Wheels,ra pair 'of x'ed-'ver- "tical posts," vertical "supports y"guided"Iupon-s`aid posts, aV horizontal support fixed to -fs'aid 'vertical 'supports and having a freepro'jectingiend, screw andnutY mechanism for raising andloweriingsaid vertical supports and sarldvhorizontal support with reference to said posts,` a pc'vs'itively'driven biifng fwheelf mounted on theAY free 'end -of y said/.horizoni tal support, fand Ymeans foriv Shitingsaid cradle -to'vvard and from 'said posts.

16.` -A device of the1classfdescrlbedi'comprising a imain' supporting frame, ia' plurality of! rotary 'Work engaging elements 'upon saidfmainframa said elements VYbeing'1mounte'dfior rotation'v upon f substantiallyV horizontalv parallel faxesanf vauxili- `ary yframeprojecting ironi-theen'dof 'saidmaln frame,` auxiliary rotary `vv'o'rk' engaging elements `Vupon said-auxiliary frame, me'ansfon said" main fr'amefor positively rotating theY elements thereon; a verticall pivotal pointre'movably attached to said main frameV approximately midwaybe- VHvvork'may be mounted for rotationfa horizontal tween said parallel axes, upon which-pointthe support having'a free'projecting end- `extending toward`-said auxiliary' frame and -overlying'fsaid port having a projecting end adapted to enter Y "the shell; a bufflng wheel mounted-on the pro- 44 ,'lecting'end of said horizontalr support, means for Y"readily raising and `lowering said horizontal sup-r port to position said'buler Wheel vertically,- tracy"tlonvvheels on the under side of saidcradle, and ""meansl'or driving saidV tractioniwhe'els toposi- "tions'aidi cradle horizontally.

i3." Adevice `of the Vclass (describedE comprising work, a positively driven buing -Wheel mounted uponthe free'end'of said horizontal supporti and adaptd-to-rotate Vin a substantially vertical-plane, vmeans for sliiftingsaid main frame togetheriwi'th 'saidfaux'iliary Vframe to and Vfro'relative to said bufng Wheel, and ymeansr for vertically `adjust-- *ing'safid bufng- -wheel into land out I of "builing lengagement with said work.

"9179A devicefof theI classdescribe'd ycomprisy elements being mounted for rotation upon parallel substantially horizontal axes, means on said main frame for positively rotating said elements, a laterally ixed horizontal support having a free projecting end, a buiiing wheel mounted upon said free projecting end, means for shifting said main frame toward and from said buiiing wheel,

, means for vertically adjusting said bufng Wheel,

and a telescopic guiding and stopping means operative between said movable main frame and said xed horizontal support. t

18. A device of the class described comprising a movable main supporting frame, a plurality of rotary elements upon said frame for engaging the work, said elements being mounted for rotation upon parallel axes, means mounted upon said main frame operable to rotate the work resting upon said elements, a pair of fixed vertical posts, vertical supports guided upon said posts, a horizontal support fixed to said vertical supports and having a free projecting end, screw and nut mechanism for raising and lowering said vertical supports and said horizontal support with reference to said posts,V a positively driven'buiing wheel mounted on the free end of said horizontal support, and means for shifting said main frame toward and from said posts.

19. A device of the class described comprising a movable main supporting frame, a plurality of rotary elements upon said frame for engaging the work, said elements being mounted for rotation upon parallel axes, means mounted upon said main frame operable to Yrotate the work resting upon said elements, a pair of fixed vertical posts, vertical supports guided upon said posts, -a horizontal support iixed to said vertical supports and having a free projecting end, a screw journaled for rotation upon each of said vertical supports, cooperating non-rotatable nuts into which said screws are respectively threaded, posts for supporting said nuts, a motor and gearing for rotating said screws equal amounts to raise and lower said horizontal support, a positively driven buiilng wheel mounted on the free end of said horizontal support, and means for shifting said main frame toward and from said posts.

20. A device of the class described comprising a movable main supporting frame, a plurality of rotary elements upon said frame for engaging the work, said elements being mounted for rotation upon parallel axes, means mounted upon said main frame operable to rotate the Work resting upon said elements, means for moving said supporting frame to and fro horizontally, a horizontal support having a projecting end, means for moving said horizontal support up and down, a head plate secured to said projecting end, a yoke pivotally mounted on said head plate, a buiiing wheel and driving motor therefor pivotally mounted upon said yoke, and means for adjusting said yoke relative to said head plate, whereby the builing wheel may be properly positioned relative to the work.

21. A device of the class described comprising a movable main supporting frame, a plurality of rotary elements upon said frame for engaging the Work, said elements being mounted for rotation upon parallel axes, means mounted upon said main frame operable to rotate the work resting upon said elements, a horizontal support having a projecting end, a head plate secured to said projecting end, a yoke pivoted to said head plate, a movable frame having pivotal engagement with said yoke, said pivotal axes being at right angles to each other, a bufiing wheel and an electric motor carried by said movable frame, a buffer shaft geared to said motor and supported by said movable frame, a buffing wheel secured to the free end of said buffer shaft, adjusting means between said head plate and yoke for holding said yoke in different adjusted p0- sitions, means for readily adjusting said main supporting frame toward and from said horizontal support, and means for readily adjusting said horizontal support up and down.

OLIVER W. MOJONN'IER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

